Musical instrument

ABSTRACT

A stringed musical instrument, which is preferably adapted to be bowed, including a solid body and an elongated neck member attached to and extending from the body. Conventional means may be provided for securing a set of strings at one end to the body and at the other end to a head which forms part of the neck member at the end of the neck member remote from the body. In a conventional instrument a centerline may be defined for both the body and neck wherein these centerlines are either in line or parallel to each other. However, in the present invention an angle is formed between the defined centerline of the body and the defined centerline of the neck, thereby making the instrument more comfortable to play. Also, in a conventional instrument, a plane may be generally defined for a top surface of both the body and neck wherein these planes are either in line or parallel to each other. However, in the present invention an angle is formed between the defined planes of said body and neck member respectively, which also increases player comfort. Novel electronic pickup means is also provided including separate pickup devices for each string and separate means for adjusting the volume output from each string.

United States Patent Larrison 1451 Sept. 12, 1972 MUSICAL INSTRUMENT [72] Inventor: Spencer Lee Larrlson, 23 Washburn St., Aubumdale, Mass. 02166 [22] Filed: July 9, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 53,388

[52] US. Cl ..84/l.l6, 84/293 [51] Int. Cl. ..G10ll 3/00 [58] Field ol'search 84/1.16, 267, 274, 275,

[56] Relerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS R26,533 3/1969 Cookerly et al. ..84/1 .15 X 1,618,626 2/ 1927 Altpeter ..84/293 X 2,581,653 1/1952 Grimshaw ..84/1.15 3,288,906 11/1966 Burns et al ..84/1.-15 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 707,972 4/ 1965 Canada ..84/275 Primary Examiner-Lewis H. Myers Assistant Examiner-U. Weldon Attorney-Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks [5 7] ABSTRACT A stringed musical instrument, which is preferably adapted to be bowed, including a solid body and an elongated neck member attached to and extending from the body. Conventional means may be provided for securing a set of strings at one end to the body and at the other end to a head which forms part of the neck member at the end of the neck member remote from the body. In a conventional instrument a centerline may be defined for both the body and neck wherein these centerlines are either in line or parallel to each other. However, in the present invention an angle is formed between the defined centerline of the body and the defined centerline of the neck, thereby making the instrument more comfortable to play. Also, in a conventional instrument, a plane may be generally defined for a top surface of both the body and neck wherein these planes are either in line or parallel to each other. However, in the present invention an angle is formed between the defined planes of said body and neck member respectively, which also increases player comfort. Novel electronic pickup means is also provided including separate pickup devices for each string and separate means for adjusting the volume output from each string.

PATENTED SEP 12 I972 3.691 285 SHEET 1 OF 2 ATTORNEYS PA'TENTEDSEP 12 um sum 2 or 2 MIXER 33 AMPLIFIER II NYENI'ORS W ffiMl/Wdflb ATTORNEYS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to the stringed musical instrument art. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a stringed musical instrument preferably of the bowed variety having a novel structure primarily designed to make the instrument more comfortable to play, and that can be fabricated to predictable standards of sound and playing characteristics.

Stringed musical instruments such as the viola and the violin have been used for many centuries. Most of these bowed string instruments have been of the classical type, and were produced by skilled craftsmen who labored many hours to complete an instrument. As a result, these instruments were quite expensive and very delicate. Also, only an extremely skilled individual'who had practiced many hours with the device could master it. This was due at least in part to the at best abnormal and unnatural position with which the musician had to hold'the instrument in order. to play it correctly.

In more recent years some stringed musical instruments particularly of the plucked variety have been provided with electronic pickup means and tone amplifying means. Usually the electronic pickup was positioned adjacent the strings and was adapted to detect the vibrations from the entire set of strings. Because the strings may have different signal responses one from the other, the pickup could not always be accurately placed to detect the vibrations from all strings equally. Also, these instruments did not provide separate electronic pickup and adjusting means for each string so that the output detected from each string could be adjusted in volume or tone.

Accordingly, it is one important object of the present invention to provide a stringed musical instrument, preferably of the bowed variety that is more comfortable to play than known stringed instruments.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stringed musical instrument according to the preceding object and having a substantially solid body and neck member which may be integrally formed and which may be fabricated by a plastic mold technique.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a stringed musical instrument that is primarily solid which may be manufactured easily, quickly and yet accurately, and which is less delicate than known acoustic resonant chamber instruments.

Another object of the invention is to provide a musical instrument of consistent, predictable, and excellent performance qualities.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a stringed musical instrument, preferably of the bowed variety, that comprises novel electronic pickup means including separate pickup means for each string and respective separate means for adjusting the output from the vibrations of each string.

Still a more specific object of the present invention is to provide a stringed musical instrument according to the preceding object wherein the separate pickup means each includes a pickup device imbedded in the string.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To accomplish these and other objects the stringed musical instrument of this invention comprises a body which is preferably symmetrically-shaped having means defining a centerline of the body, and an elongated neck member attached to and extending from the body and having means defining a centerline of the neck member. Means are provided for securing a set of strings at one end to the body and at the other end to a head which forms part of the neck member at the end of the neck member remote from the body. According to one aspect of the invention an angle is formed between the defined centerlines of the body and neck, respectively, thereby making the instrument more comfortable to play.

In another embodiment of the invention the body includes means defining a plane of the body passing parallel to at least a part of a surface of the body, and the neck member includes means defining a plane of the neck member passing parallel to at least a part of a surface of the neck member. With this embodiment the instrument is fabricated so that an angle is formed between the defined planes of the body and neck member, respectively, thereby making the instrument more comfortable to play. With this arrangement the neck member is rotated slightly clockwise as viewed from the tailpiece along its length with reference to the body thereby eliminating the need for the musician to curl his arm, wrist and fingers about the neck member as severely as is the case with known instruments. This aspect of the invention makes the instrument easier to play.

According to the present invention, electronic pickup means may also be provided with the stringed musical instrument. This means comprises separate pickup means which each preferably include a pickup device imbedded in the fingerboard below the playing surface and positioned below its respective string, and separate means for adjusting the output from the vibrations of each string detected by each pickup coil. This adjusting means may include a set of manually operated potentiometers which are preferably imbedded in the body of the instrument proximate to the strings. One or more cavities may also be provided in the body of the instrument for containing batteries, amplifying means, and interconnecting wires, for example.

Numerous other objects and features of the invention along with its incident advantages will be better understood and appreciated from the following detailed description of some embodiments of the invention, selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stringed musical instrument constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective end view of a stringed musical instrument viewed from the body and showing the yaw angle Y defined between imaginary centerlines L1 and L2 of the body and neck, respectively;

FIG. 2B is a fragmentary plan view of the musical instrument of FIG. 2A indicating defined angle Y;

FIG. 3A is a perspective end view of a stringed musical instrument viewed from the neck and showing the role angle R defined between imaginary planes P2 and P3 of the body and neck respectively;

FIG. 3B is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 1 indicating angle R;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a stringed musical instrument according to the invention and partially cutaway to show some of the electronic pickup means;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a pickup device including a coil and container;

FIG. 6A is a fragmentary perspective view of the fingerboard and string placement with the fingerboard partially cut away to expose the pickup devices;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6- 6 of FIG. 6A for a preferred arrangement of strings and pickup devices;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram partially in block form of pickup and amplifying circuitry used with the stringed instrument of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description like reference numerals refer to corresponding like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a musical instrument 10 constructed according to the invention, and including a substantially solid body 12, and an elongated neck member 14 attached to and extending from body 12. Body 12 and neck member 14 may either be fabricated separately by a plastic molding technique, for example, or may be molded as an integral unit.

Body 12 has a tailpiece 26 which may be of conventional design secured to its top surface 13. Tailpiece 26 includes conventional downwardly extending tab 27 that prevents longitudinal movement of the tailpiece when the strings are in tension. Conventional studs 28 may be provided on tailpiece 26 for securing one end of each of the strings to tailpiece 26 and in turn to body 12. In FIG. I a five stringed instrument is shown with the strings conventionally labelled as C, G, D, A, and E. Stringed instruments with fewer or more strings could also be used and are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention.

Musical instrument 10 also includes a chinrest 36 which may be of conventional design and is suitably affixed to body 12 adjacent to tailpiece 26, as shown. A bridge 24 is positioned between tailpiece 26 and the end of body 12 from which neck member 14 extends. Bridge 24 is provided with five recesses for holding the strings C, G, D, A, and E and keeping them separated.

The neck 14 comprises an elongated support portion 17 to which fingerboard is attached.

Portion l7 and fingerboard 15 may be integrally machines 18 which may all be of conventional design. Each string is connected in a conventional manner to one of the machines 18 by passing the string through a hole in the top part of the machine. Each machine also includes a typical adjusting screw for varying string tensions to correctly tune the instrument.

FIG. 1 also illustrates a preferred placement for the electronic adjusting means, discussed in more detail hereinafter. These adjustment means include volume control array 40, volume control potentiometer 34 and tone control potentiometer 32. Socket 33 is provided to accommodate a standard jack (not shown) which can couple an external amplifier or other device to the electronics contained within musical instrument 10. Because the instrument itself contains amplifying means, a speaker may be directly coupled to socket 33 when the musician wants to practice privately. Volume control array 40 further includes individual volume control potentiometers 40C, 406, 40D, 40A and 40E which are provided so that the volume output of each string can be adjusted and balanced with the output from the other strings.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, there is illustrated a perspective end view of the instrument 10 shown in FIG. I viewed from body 12 of the instrument and showing yaw angle Y defined between centerlines L1 and L2 of the body and neck, respectively. As viewed in FIG. 2A, fingerboard 15 extends angularly toward the left or, in other words, centerline L2 is shifted counterclockwise from centerline Ll. FIG. 2A also shown a preferred location for ON-OFF switch 42 under chinrest 36. Switch 42 is shown schematically in FIG. 7.

Bridge 24 is illustrated as including five recesses for accommodating strings C, G, D, A, and E separately spaced along the top curved edge of bridge 24. It is noted that lefthand side 23 is higher than righthand side 25 of bridge 24. This is a typical arrangement which is provided so that the C string is elevated slightly higher over the fingerboard than the rest of the strings. Actually each string starting with the C string becomes progressively closer to the fingerboard. The reason for placing the C string further away is that it is the heaviest string and lowest tension string and thus has to be separated farther from the fingerboard than its adjacent string, for example, to prevent it from buzzing against the fingerboard 15. Alternatively, the highest or E string vibrates in a path that is considerably narrower than the path of vibration of the C string, for example, because it is under higher tension and is generally smaller in diameter. Also, because of the novel role angle R between the planes P2 and P3, the side 23 of bridge 24 may be made even higher than with conventional instruments or, alternatively, side 25 may be made lower.

As previously mentioned, an instrument constructed according to the present invention may be fabricated by an injection molding technique. By using this technique each instrument will have a similarity of performance of high quality at a fraction of the cost of classical instruments. With a plastic mold technique like instruments are easily produced. This is not necessarily so with a wood instrument.

FIG. 2B shows a fragmentary plan view of the musical instrument of FIG. 2A. The yaw angle Y is clearly shown and is defined as in FIG. 2A, as the angle between centerlines L1 and L2 of the body and neck, respectively. In a typical instrument constructed in accordance with the present invention, the angle Y may have a range on the order of 1-10.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, there is depicted a perspective end view of a stringed musical instrument viewed from neck 14 and showing the role angle R defined between imaginary planes P2 and P3 of the body and neck, respectively. A plane P1 is shown and may be defined as a substantially horizontal plane when the instrument is lying horizontally. Plane P2 is parallel to plane P1 and represents another horizontal plane as viewed in FIG. 3A. The plane P3 represents an imaginary plane that is tangent to the midpoint of fingerboard 15. This midpoint is shown in FIG. 3B at 21.

FIG. 3B is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1. The role angle R is clearly shown and is defined, as in FIG. 3A, as the angle between planes P2 and P3. Planes PI and P2 are also indicated as being horizontal in FIG. 33, while planes P3 and P3 are parallel to each other. In a typical instrument constructed in accordance with the present invention the angle R may have a range on the order of ll0.

One feature of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, is that bottom edge 19 of head 16 is substantially horizontal even though the rest of neck member 14 including fingerboard 15 is pitched at an angle. That is a convenience feature that enables the instrument to lie flat with body 12 touching a resting surface (not shown) at one of the instrument and edge 19 at the other end.

Part of the electronic pickup means is shown in FIG. 4, which is a side perspective view of a stringed musical instrument according to the invention. The substantially solid body 12 is shown partially cut away in the vicinity of one of the cavities provided in body 12. This cut away portion shows an amplifying means 37. One means 37 is shown in circuit detail in FIG. and is discussed in more detail hereafter. In FIG. 4, however, volume control potentiomer 34, tone control potentiometer 32 and socket 33 are depicted as extending from means 37 through the top surface 13 of body 12.

The end of fingerboard 15 is also shown cut away in FIG. 4 thereby exposing audio pickup array 50 which comprises pickup devices 50C, 50G, 50D, 50A, and 50E. Separate pickup wires indicated at 38 and including at least one return wire are shown partially in dotted fashion and extend from the pickup device of array 50 to amplifier means 37. Pickup array 50 is imbedded in fingerboard 15, as are the pickup wires which run along the fingerboard, down to the support portion 17, and run back through body 12 to amplifier means 37. A suitable passage may be provided for these wires 38 or, preferably, they can be molded in position when the instrument is fabricated.

In FIG. 5 one of the pickup devices is shown in a partial cross-sectional perspective view along with its container. The wire 54 shown in cross-section is wound about a bobbin 52 which is preferably made of hard plastic. In one embodiment 4,000 turns of No. 50 AWG wire is used. A magnet 53 is placed in the hollow center portion of bobbin 52, and may be glued to hold it in place. In one instance an ALNICO 5 magnet was used. Once the wire 54 has been wound on bobbin 52, the assembly can be inserted in shield can 56. Can 56 includes lower cup portion 57 which has a hole therein at one side for accommodating wire pair 55. Wire pair 55 may be a small diameter coax, for example, with a center conductor and a shield that tie respectively, to either end of wound wire 54. Shield can 56 also includes a top cover portion 58 which fits over portion 57 and provides an enclosed container for the bobbin assembly. The entire shield can 56 can be fabricated of mu metal. The bobbin assembly, in one embodiment, is seven-sixteenth inch in diameter while the can 56 is one-half inch in diameter.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B there are shown separate views of the fingerboard 15 indicating string placement for a preferred embodiment. In FIG. 6A each of the pickup devices 50C, 506, 50D, 50A, and 50E are embedded in fingerboard 15 the same distance below the top surface of the fingerboard, such as one thirty-second inch, for example. Strings C, G, D, A, and E are each spaced progressively closer to the top surface of their respective coils 50C, 506, 50D, 50A and 50E and closer to the top surface of fingerboard 15. In FIG. 6A the spacing t between string C and coil 50C, and the spacings between all other strings and coils are not the same, but vary from the maximum at string C to a minimum for string E. With the embodiment of FIG. 6A the top surface of the fingerboard 15 is curved and the plane of the strings C, G, D, A, and E that are over the fingerboard are also curved. The strings are placed in a curved plane in order that the bow may pick out cross-sectional view of fingerboard 15 with a preferred placement of the pickup .devices and strings. The dimensions shown in FIG. 6B are necessary in order to keep; (1) string to pickup distance TC, TC, TD, TA, TE each within their optimim operating range and; (2) string to fingerboard distance d varying from a minimum for string E, progressively, to a maximum for string C. The progressive loss of signal strength between pickups 50E to 50C, because of the progressive increase in distance between these pickups and their respective strings, is readily compensated for by adjusting the individual potentiometers of array 40. In FIG. 63 only pickup coils 50C, 50D and 50E are shown. The other two coils 506 and 50A are behind those three coils and directly below the G and A strings, respectively.

In an alternative embodiment the string to pickup distance for all strings may be kept constant. For this embodiment the pickup devices would have to be kept at progressively different distances below the top surface of fingerboard 15.

Referring now to FIG. 7 there is shown a circuit diagram partially in block form of pickup and amplifying circuitry used with the stringed instrument of the invention. The pickup coils 50C, 50G,'50D, 50A, and 50E are physically imbedded in fingerboard while the rest of the circuitry is located in one or more cavities in body 12. Each of these pickup devices are coupled to separate preamplifier stages 42C, 42G, 42D, 42A and 42E, respectively, which include separate volume control potentiometers 40C, 40G, 40D, 40A, and 40B, respectively. The design of each of the preamplifier stages shown in FIG. 7 is conventional and includes an input coupling capacitor, NPN transistor, and output connection. The output of each stage indicated at 45 is tied in common to the input of mixer amplifier 44 which may also be of conventional design. FIG. 7 also shows ON-OFF switch 42 which couples from the B+ battery supply to amplifier 44 and each preamplifier stage. The output of amplifier 44 is coupled to output connector or socket 33, which is also shown in FIG. 1.

With the electronic pickup means shown in FIGS. 4-7 a musician can individually adjust each of the potentiometers 40C, 400, 40D, 40A, and 40E so that the volume output from their respective strings are balanced. By imbedding the pickup coils in the fingerboard their positioning from the strings is held relatively fixed. This arrangement is also aesthetically more pleasing than when the pickup is visible.

Having described certain features of the present invention, it should be obvious that an instrument may be fabricated according to the invention for either a righthanded or lefthanded musician. The embodiment disclosed is for a righthanded musician. In fabricating an instrument for a lefthanded musician the yaw angle Y would extend in an opposite direction. Centerline L2 would be rotated clockwise of centerline L1. Also, the role angle R, would be defined in an opposite direction, so that the neck member was twisted counterclockwise with reference to the body when viewed from the body.

In the drawings, the instruments are substantially symmetrical in shape. However, other somewhat oddshaped instruments may also fall with the scope of the present invention. For example, the body of the instrument could have a round or elliptical notch in the fatter part of the body. The defined centerline of the body would still substantially medially divide the top flattest surface of the instrument. Thus, the medial line of the body may be defined as a line defined by a locus of points equidistant from major portions of opposite edges of a surface of the body. The medial line need not be equidistant at every point along the line from opposite edges. In FIG. 1 top surface 12A is medially divided by centerline L1.

Having described certain embodiment of the invention, other embodiments and variations and modifications thereof should now become obvious to oneskilled in the art all of which are contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A stringed musical instrument of the bowed type comprising;

a symmetrically shaped body having an edge wall,

.means defining a centerline of said body and a top surface, at least segments of the junction line of I said top surface and said edge wall defining a plane of said body,

an elongated neck member fixedly attached to and extending from said body, having meansdefining a centerline of said neck member, having a side wall and having a top surface, at least segments of the junction line of said top surface and said side wall defining a plane of said neck member,

a chinrest,

means for securing said strings at each end to said body and neck member respectively,

means for securing said chinrest to said top surface near but to one side of the centerline of said body and adjacent an end of said body remote from said neck member,

wherein an angle of an order of'magnitude of about 1 to 10 is formed between the centerline of said body and the centerline of said neck member, and an angle of an order of magnitude of about I to 10 is formed between the plane of said body and the plane of said neck member,

a plurality of detectors with one detector being associated with each string of the instrument,

wherein said neck member includes an arcuate playing surface and each detector is imbedded in said neck member below said arcuate surface, wherein each detector detects vibrations from primarily only its associated string,

and a plurality of means for varying the output signal from each detector with one means for varying being associated with each detector for separately adjusting the output signal from each detector.

2. An instrument as set forth in claim 1 which is of the violin type.

3. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 1 wherein said playing surface extends in part over said body and wherein said detectingmeans are located in said part extending over said body.

4. An instrument as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said detecting means includes a preamplifier and pickup coil.

5. A stringed instrument of the violin or cello type comprising a body including a top surface and having an axis defined by a line pass lengthwise of said body and medially dividing the top surface thereof, and an elongated neck member fixedly attached to and extending from said body including a top surface and having an axis defined by a line passing lengthwise of said neck member and medially dividing the top surface thereof, wherein an angle of an order of magnitude of about 1 to 10 is formed between the defined axis of said body and the defined axis of said neck member, said body having a plane passing parallel to at least a portion of the top surface of said body, and said neck member having a plane passing parallel to at least a portion of said top surface of the neck member, wherein an angle of an order of magnitude of 1 to 10 is formed between the defined plane of said body and the defined plane of said neck member.

6. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 5 further comprising means for securing said strings at each end to said body and neck member, respectively, and wherein said neck member includes an arcuate playing surface over which said strings are positioned.

7. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 5 further comprising electronic pickup means including a plurality of means connected to said neck member each positioned below one of said strings for detecting vibrations from each string, respectively, and means coupled to each of said detecting means for varying the output signal from each of said detecting means.

8. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 7 wherein said neck member includes an arcuate playing surface and each said detecting means includes a pickup coil imbedded in said neck member below said arcuate playing surface.

9. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim wherein said body and neck member are integrally formed of a plastic.

10. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 5 wherein said symmetrically-shaped body is at least partially solid.

11. A stringed musical instrument comprising a body including a top surface defining at least in part a plane passing parallel to at least a portion of the top surface of said body, and an elongated neck member attached to and extending from said body including a top surface defining at least in part a plane passing parallel to at least a portion of the top surface of said neck member, wherein an angle of an order of magnitude of about 1 to 10 is formed between the defined plane of said body and the defined plane of said neck member, said body having an axis defined by a line passing lengthwise of said body and medially dividing the top surface thereof, and said neck member having an axis defined by a line passing lengthwise of said neck member, wherein an angle of an order of magnitude of about 1 to 10 is formed between the axis of said body and the axis of said neck member.

12. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 11 further comprising means for securing said strings at each end to said body and neck member, respectively, and wherein said neck member includes an arcuate playing surface over which said strings are positioned.

13. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 11 further comprising electronic pickup means including a plurality of means connected to said neck member each positioned below one of said strings for detecting vibrations from each string, respectively, and means coupled to each of said detecting means for varying the output signal from each of said detecting means.

14. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 13 wherein said neck member includes an arcuate playing surface and each said detecting means includes a pickup coil imbedded in said neck member below said arcuate playing surface.

15. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 11 wherein said body and neck member are integrally formed of a plastic.

16. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 11 wherein said symmetrically-shaped body is at least partially solid.

17. A stringed musical instrument of the bowed type for playing by a right handed musician comprising a body including a top surface defining at least in part a plane passing parallel to at least a portion of the top surface of said body, and an elongated neck member attached toand extending from said body including a top surface defining at least in part a plane passing par llel to at lea t a portion of the to surface f said nec member, w erem an angle on t e order 0 1 to .member having an axis defined by a line passing lengthwise of said neck member, wherein an angle of an order of magnitude of about 1 to 10 is formed between the axis of said body and the axis of said neck member.

18. An instrument as set forth in claim 17 for playing by a left handed musician wherein the plane of said neck member extends downwardly to the left in relation to the plane of said body.

19. An instrument as set forth in claim 18 wherein said chinrest is disposed to the left'of the centerline of said body as viewed from the body end of the instrument.

20. A stringed musical instrument comprising a body including a top surface and having an axis defined by a line passing lengthwise of said body and medially dividing the top surface thereof, said body also defining a plane passing parallel to at least a portion of the top surface of said body, and an elongated neck member fixedly attached to and extending from said body including a top surface and having an axis defined by a line passing lengthwise of said neck member and medially dividing the top surface thereof, said neck member also defining a plane passing parallel to at least a por tion of the top surface of said neck member, wherein an angle is formed between the defined axis of said body and the defined axis of said neck member, and wherein an angle is formed between the defined plane of said body and the defined plane of said neck member. 

1. A stringed musical instrument of the bowed type comprising; a symmetrically shaped body having an edge wall, means defining a centerline of said body and a top surface, at least segments of the junction line of said top surface and said edge wall defining a plane of said body, an elongated neck member fixedly attached to and extending from said body, having means defining a centerline of said neck member, having a side wall and having a top surface, at least segments of the junction line of said top surface and said side wall defining a plane of said neck member, a chinrest, means for securing said strings at each end to said body and neck member respectively, means for securing said chinrest to said top surface near but to one side of the centerline of said body and adjacent an end of said body remote from said neck member, wherein an angle of an order of magnitude of about 1* to 10* is formed between the centerline of said body and the centerline of said neck member, and an angle of an order of magnitude of about 1* to 10* is formed between the plane of said body and the plane of said neck member, a plurality of detectors with one detector being associated with each string of the instrument, wherein said neck member includes an arcuate playing surface and each detector is imbedded in said neck member below said arcuate surface, wherein each detector detects vibrations from primarily only its associated string, and a plurality of means for varying the output signal from each detector with one means for varying being associated with each detector for separately adjusting the output signal from each detector.
 2. An instrument as set forth in claim 1 which is of the violin type.
 3. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 1 wherein said playing surface extends in part over said body and wherein said detecting means are located in said part extending over said body.
 4. An instrument as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said detecting means includes a preamplifier and pickup coil.
 5. A stringed instrument of the violin or cello type comprising a body including a top surface and having an axis defined by a line pass lengthwise of said body and medially dividing the top surface thereof, and an elongated neck member fixedly attached to and extending from said body including a top surface and having an axis defined by a line passing lengthwise of said neck member and medially dividing the top surface thereof, wherein an angle of an order of magnitude of about 1* to 10* is formed between the defined axis of said body and the defined axis of said neck member, said body having a plane passing parallel to at least a portion of the top surface of said body, and said neck member having a plane passing parallel to at least a portion of said top surface of the neck member, wherein an angle of an order of magnitude of 1* to 10* is formed between the defined plane of said body and the defined plane of said neck member.
 6. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 5 further comprising means for securing said strings at each end to said body and neck member, respectively, and wherein said neck member includes an arcuate playing surface over which said strings are positioned.
 7. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 5 further comprising electronic pickup means including a plurality of means connected to said neck member each positioned below one of said strings for detecting vibrations from each string, respectively, and means coupled to each of said detecting means for varying the output signal from each of said detecting means.
 8. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 7 wherein said neck member includes an arcuate playing surface and each said detecting means includes a pickup coil imbedded in said neck member below said arcuate playing surface.
 9. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 5 wherein said body and neck member are integrally formed of a plastic.
 10. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 5 wherein said symmetrically-shaped body is at least partially solid.
 11. A stringed musical instrument comprising a body including a top surface defining at least in part a plane passing parallel to at least a portion of the top surface of said body, and an elongated neck member attached to and extending from said body including a top surface defining at least in part a plane passing parallel to at least a portion of the top surface of said neck member, wherein an angle of an order of magnitude of about 1* to 10* is formed between the defined plane of said body and the defined plane of said neck member, said body having an axis defined by a line passing lengthwise of said body and medially dividing the top surface thereof, and said neck member having an axis defined by a line passing lengthwise of said neck member, wherein an angle of an order of magnitude of about 1* to 10* is formed between the axis of said body and the axis of said neck member.
 12. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 11 further comprising means for securing said strings at each end to said body and neck member, respectively, and wherein said neck member includes an arcuate playing surface over which said strings are positioned.
 13. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 11 further comprising electronic pickup means including a plurality of means connected to said neck member each positioned below one of said strings for detecting vibrations from each string, respectively, and means coupled to each of said detecting means for varying the output signal from each of said detecting means.
 14. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 13 wherein said neck member includes an arcuate playing surface and each said detecting means includes a pickup coil imbedded in said neck member below said arcuate playing surface.
 15. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 11 wherein said body and neck member are integrally formed of a plastic.
 16. A stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 11 wherein said symmetrically-shaped body is at least partially solid.
 17. A stringed musical instrument of the bowed type for playing by a right handed musician comprising a body including a top surface defining at least in part a plane passing parallel to at least a portion of the top surface of said body, and an elongated neck member attached to and extending from said body including a top surface defining at least in part a plane passing parallel to at least a portion of the top surface of said neck member, wherein an angle on the order of 1* to 10* is formed between the defined plane of said body and the defined plane of said neck member, said plane of said neck member extending downwardly to the right in relation to the plane of said body when said body is horizontally positioned and as viewed from the body end of the instrument, said body having an axis defined by a line passing lengthwise of said body and medially dividing the top surface thereof, and said neck member having an axis defined by a line passing lengthwise of said neck member, wherein an angle of an order of magnitude of about 1* tO 10* is formed between the axis of said body and the axis of said neck member.
 18. An instrument as set forth in claim 17 for playing by a left handed musician wherein the plane of said neck member extends downwardly to the left in relation to the plane of said body.
 19. An instrument as set forth in claim 18 wherein said chinrest is disposed to the left of the centerline of said body as viewed from the body end of the instrument.
 20. A stringed musical instrument comprising a body including a top surface and having an axis defined by a line passing lengthwise of said body and medially dividing the top surface thereof, said body also defining a plane passing parallel to at least a portion of the top surface of said body, and an elongated neck member fixedly attached to and extending from said body including a top surface and having an axis defined by a line passing lengthwise of said neck member and medially dividing the top surface thereof, said neck member also defining a plane passing parallel to at least a portion of the top surface of said neck member, wherein an angle is formed between the defined axis of said body and the defined axis of said neck member, and wherein an angle is formed between the defined plane of said body and the defined plane of said neck member. 